Alternative
Alternative to pdfFiller
pdfFiller's pitch is forms-first — you upload a blank PDF form (IRS W-9, medical intake, HR onboarding) and fill fields in the browser. It works, but the $10-$20/month pricing for what amounts to editing a dozen fields is a bad deal for anyone not doing this daily.
PennyPDF's /edit tool fills forms client-side at zero cost. Typed text, checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdowns all work. Signatures (typed, drawn, or uploaded image) are added through /sign and cost 3 coins (~12¢) per signed document. The distinction: pdfFiller charges to fill the form; PennyPDF charges only if you need a legally-signed output with audit trail.
For tax forms specifically (W-9, W-4, 1099, 1040 schedules), PennyPDF can fill + flatten + save in one pass. The flattened PDF is portable to any email / upload portal. For HR and medical intake forms, the e-sign flow adds a signature page with certificate-of-completion — legally equivalent to pdfFiller's signed output.
How it works
- 1Upload the blank PDF form to /edit.
- 2Click any form field to type, or check boxes directly.
- 3If signatures are needed, switch to /sign to add signature fields.
- 4Download the filled PDF (free) or filled-and-signed PDF (3 coins).
- 5Legally valid under E-SIGN Act; submit to government portals, employers, clients.
Frequently asked
Does PennyPDF have a forms library like pdfFiller?+
No — pdfFiller has 25M+ pre-uploaded forms searchable by name. PennyPDF expects you to bring the blank PDF (download from the issuing agency's website). Roadmap Phase 7 adds a limited IRS + USCIS forms library.
Flattening filled forms?+
Yes. Fill → Flatten option in /edit turns editable fields into rendered text so downstream viewers can't edit. 1 coin for the flatten operation.
HIPAA compliance for medical forms?+
PennyPDF is on the HIPAA-compliance roadmap (Phase 8). Until then, for PHI-containing forms use a HIPAA-certified provider. Most state DMV / USCIS forms are fine on any tool.
Can I fill forms on mobile?+
Yes — the /edit tool works on iPad and larger phones. Typing into tiny form fields is easier on a tablet than on a phone screen.
Monthly cost comparison for 10 forms/month?+
pdfFiller: $10-$20/month = $120-$240/year. PennyPDF: 10 forms filled free, plus 10 signings at 3 coins each = 30 coins ≈ $1.20/month. About 10-15% of pdfFiller's price.
Why PennyPDF
- No subscription. Ever.
- Coins never expire — use them in 5 years.
- Client-side processing for 14 of 22 tools.
- No watermarks at any tier.
- Per-operation pricing, shown before you click.
- Same coins for web + public API.